Tag Archives: turkey handling

How To Handle A Turkey

I cook the big bird each year and even though I’ve cooked an untold amount of turkeys, I look this information up almost every year. Luckily, all you need to know can be found online. But to make sure we get the right scoop and handle those turkeys in a safe manner here is what the real experts have to tell us.

Let’s Talk Turkey

Frozen Turkeys
1 – Allow 1 pound of turkey per person.
2 – Keep frozen until you’re ready to thaw it.
3 – Turkeys can be kept frozen in the freezer indefinitely;
however, cook within 1 year for best quality.
4 – See “Thawing Your Turkey” for thawing instructions.

Thawing Your Turkey

There are three ways to thaw your turkey safely —1 – in the refrigerator, 2 – in cold water,3 – in the microwave oven.

1 - In the Refrigerator (40 °F or below)
Allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds
04 to 12 pounds - 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds - 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds - 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds - 5 to 6 days
1 - Keep the turkey in its original wrapper.
2 - Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak.
3 - A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
4 - If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the
refrigerator may be re-frozen.
2 - In Cold Water
Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound
4 to 12 pounds - 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds - 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds - 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds - 10 to 12 hours
1 - Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able
to leak through the wrapping.
2 - Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water.
3 - Change the water every 30 minutes.
4 - Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.
5 - Do not re-freeze.
3 - In the Microwave Oven
1 - Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit
in your microwave oven.
2 - Likewise, the minutes per pound and power level to use
for thawing.
3 - Remove all outside wrapping.
4 - Place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that
may leak.
5 - Cook your turkey immediately.
6 - Do not re-freeze or refrigerate your turkey after
thawing in the microwave oven.
REMINDER:
Remove the giblets from the turkey cavities after thawing.
Cook separately.

Roasting Your Turkey

Set your oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.

Place your turkey or turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.

For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended. For more even cooking, it is recommended you cook your stuffing outside the bird in a casserole. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The stuffing must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

If you choose to stuff your turkey, the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time; however, keep wet and dry ingredients separate. Chill all of the wet ingredients (butter/margarine, cooked celery and onions, broth, etc.). Mix wet and dry ingredients just before filling the turkey cavities. Fill the cavities loosely. Cook the turkey immediately. Use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook turkey to higher temperatures.

If your turkey has a “pop-up” temperature indicator, it is recommended that you also check the internal temperature of the turkey in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast with a food thermometer. The minimum internal temperature should reach 165 °F for safety.

For quality, let the turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set. The turkey will carve more easily.

Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavities.

Timetables for Turkey Roasting
(325 °F oven temperature)

Use the timetables below to determine how long to cook your turkey. These times are approximate. Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey and stuffing.

Unstuffed

4 to 8 pounds (breast)

1½ to 3¼ hours

8 to 12 pounds

2¾ to 3 hours

12 to 14 pounds

3 to 3¾ hours

14 to 18 pounds

3¾ to 4¼ hours

18 to 20 pounds

4¼ to 4½ hours

20 to 24 pounds

4½ to 5 hours

It is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state. The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey. Remember to remove the giblet packages during the cooking time. Remove carefully with tongs or a fork.

Optional Cooking Hints

Tuck wing tips under the shoulders of the bird for more even cooking. This is referred to as “akimbo.”

Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of the pan.

If your roasting pan does not have a lid, you may place a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the turkey for the first 1 to 1 ½ hours. This allows for maximum heat circulation, keeps the turkey moist, and reduces oven splatter. To prevent over browning, foil may also be placed over the turkey after it reaches the desired color.

If using an oven-proof food thermometer, place it in the turkey at the start of the cooking cycle. It will allow you to check the internal temperature of the turkey while it is cooking. For turkey breasts, place thermometer in the thickest part. For whole turkeys, place in the thickest part of the inner thigh. Once the thigh has reached 165 °F, check the wing and the thickest part of the breast to ensure the turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the product.

If using an oven cooking bag, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the package.

REMEMBER! Always wash hands, utensils, the sink, and anything else that comes in contact with raw turkey and its juices with soap and water.

For information on other methods for cooking a turkey, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)www.fsis.usda.gov